I have been watching our COVID positive cases and quarantines this week, and I have been listening to parents and teachers. I think we all agree that our goal is to keep students and staff healthy, and to maintain 5-day in-person learning all year. Beginning August 16, 2021, we will add some layers of mitigation so we can hopefully avoid returning to a hybrid schedule.

Mitigation Strategies: Based on the number of positive cases and quarantines in the first week of school, CCPS will temporarily reinstate the following layered mitigation strategies:

• Masks are required on buses and in hallways during transitions (masks will be available);
• Physical distancing will be encouraged when feasible;
• Temperature scans will be required when entering the building;
• Parents and visitors will be required to wear masks;
• Social distancing will be required for large group gatherings. If social distancing is not possible large group gatherings will be limited to outdoor venues;
• Field trips will be limited;
• COVID Cleaning Technicians will continue enhanced disinfection protocols in schools and on buses, focusing on high-touch/high-traffic areas to prevent illness;
• Students and staff will be encouraged to wash hands often, and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the school;
• Teachers will reinforce proper health etiquette to prevent respiratory illnesses (example: covering coughs and sneezes);
• Contact tracing and quarantine for close contacts as follows:

o Individuals who are fully vaccinated* for COVID-19 who are exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 case ARE NOT required to quarantine. *Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their 2nd shot*
o Individuals who are not fully vaccinated who are exposed to someone with a confirmed COVID-19 case will not be required to quarantine IF THEY MEET THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

 Both people were correctly wearing masks throughout the entire encounter; and
 The individuals maintained a distance of 3 feet apart throughout the encounter.
o Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered are not required to quarantine or get tested if they do not develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Communication: Our goal is to maintain transparency with parents and the community.
• Parents will be notified by email weekly if a student/staff member in their school tests positive for COVID;
• Weekly system-wide COVID positive numbers, by school, will be posted on the district website on Friday;
• Superintendent’s Updates will be posted on the website, and parents will receive a text message, if changes are necessary in a school or the system.